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Product Description

Product Description

While hiding from a Japanese military offensive on a desolate Pacific Island, a marine sergeant (Mitchum) and his only fellow survivor, an Irish Roman Catholic novitiate on a humanitarian mission (Kerr), search for food, engage in philosophical sparring, avoid sexual tension, and struggle to survive.

Amazon.ca

If a war movie can be lovely, this is it. John Huston directed this touching World War II story about a Marine (Robert Mitchum) stranded with a nun (Deborah Kerr) on a Pacific island overrun by Japanese. After initial antagonism, the resulting kinship between the two characters is human and civil, even after Mitchum's grunt understandably falls in love with his unlikely companion. The action scenes, in which the pair works together to stay ahead of the enemy, are first-rate. The actors have never been better, and Huston's perennial theme about destiny's denial of our dreams is achingly clear in this essentially two-person drama. --Tom Keogh--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Most helpful customer reviews

This is a film that many young viewers from advanced economies would be puzzled by. The concept of denying one's sexually for a spiritual union with God that is dedicated to serving His church and His church alone. The loss of religious faith in our society may make this film appear quaint or anachronistic to many modern viewers, in which many would interpret the nun's chastity or willingness to lead a life of celibacy as being more reflective of sexual repression rather than any spiritual enlightenment. However, we should not underestimate the power of religious faith in some individuals and their consequent desire to uniquely serve God, and for these people truly motivated by faith and not any social or psychological coercion; their decision is not viewed as any major sacrifice but as a joy. We also must remember that at the time this film was taking place, WWII, and when it was made in the mid-fifties nun's had a much more prominent role and influence in society than they do today, so choosing to be a nun would not have been such an unusual circumstance.

The film, even though set during WWII in the Pacific theatre, is about the relationship between the nun, in an academy award nominated performance by Deborah Kerr, and the corporal, charismatically played by Robert Mitchum, who never looked more handsome or virile in a film. It is rather charming to see how their relationship develops, and how Mitchum's character with his checkered past falls in love with Kerr's nun, even though he never sees anything of her sexuality other than her face and personality. He learns to love for the very first time in his life, and becomes truly devoted to her, and in the process becomes a better and more complete man, a man with a greater spiritual dimension and a capacity to truly love.Read more ›

"The African Queen," director John Huston's other foray into very similar territory (rough man & religious woman forge friendship to survive against nature and enemy in wartime), is justly celebrated as a classic and an acting tour de force for leads Bogart and Hepburn. I only wish "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" got as much attention as TAQ since I think it is an equally splendid movie. Mitchum and Kerr are perfectly cast and give outstanding performances in their roles as as a battle-hardened Marine and a dedicated nun. The acting fireworks in "African Queen" are great, but I actually think I prefer the exquisite subtlety of Mitchum & Kerr's approach here, where the conflict between the characters is not as volatile as in TAQ and therefore calls for even greater amounts of calibration and control in body language, facial expressions and tone of voice from the actors. Follow Mitchum's many successive emotions during the proposal scene -- desire, hesitation, courageous candor, disappointment, humiliation, and finally face-saving stoicism -- and you witness a flawless and masterfully intelligent piece of acting, with Kerr just as perfect in her responses and counterpoint (including Sister Angela's reaction to knowing she has just crushed this man who, for perhaps the first and only time in his life, has completely revealed his heart to anyone).This is a wonderful character study of two people who are simultaneously polar opposites (warrior vs. woman of peace; street-tough vs. refined) and yet twin souls (courageous, loyal, unselfish, and duty-bound, one to the Marines and the other to Christ). Their attraction to one another is just as natural as their parting in the end (each following their duty) is inevitable, albeit bittersweet.Read more ›

Heaven Knows Mr. Allison is one of those feel good movies thats fun to watch with a good love story and more than enough excitement to keep the viewer interested. It's the story of a shipwrecked U.S. marine (Robert Mitchem) who finds himself stranded on a deserted island. Stranded that is except for the nun (Deborah Kerr) and about 1000 Japanese soldiers who keep coming and going throughout the film as if they cant make up their minds how important occupying the island really is? The movie then becomes not only a struggle to survive the island and its lack of food and water? But also a struggle to avoid detection by the Japanese while keeping their romantic feelings for each other in check? The acting by both Mitchem and Kerr (who won a best actress oscar nomination for her role) is superb. And the ending in which Mitchem once again finds himself crucial to the war effort by taking out the Japanese big guns before the American invasion add up to a fun and very entertaining film that doesn't leave a bad taste in the viewers mouth. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

20th Century Fox has done an OUTSTANDING job remastering & digital transferring to DVD many of their World War II movies under the heading of FOX WAR CLASSICS!"Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" is the best of this series thus far. This 1957 film is presented beautifully in Delux Color & Anamorphic WideScreen (automatically adjusts to your tv size including 16:9 HDTV) format.Summary: John Huston directs this outstanding story about two of the dearest, most delightful & wonderful people who must survive together in the Southern Pacific during World War II. Sister Angelia (Deborah Kerr - absolutely fantastic (Oscar Nominated for Best Actress)) as a missionary nun and U.S. Marine Corporal Allison (Robert Mitchum - perfectly casted truly) who are stranded on an island in Japanese occupied territory. Their 2 faiths (hers in God & his in the Corps)bring them together and provide each other the strength to overcome over whelming odds."Heaven Knows Mr. Allison" is a great family picture. Is so delightful & entertaining (the story line is a pleasant surprise). Kerr & Mitchum are magical together. Don't miss this one. I guarantee you will be watching this one more than once. This is a great movie to buy!! Get out the popcorn & see a Great WideScreen DVD movie today. Find out why "Heaven Knows Mr. Allison"? Enjoy.Special Features include: 1957 Movietone News (including Heaven Knows Mr.Allison clip), Theatrical Trailer & Fox War Classic Trailers.